GM in 10 - Denver Broncos
GM
in 10: Denver Broncos
Author: Turrel
Mathews
GM
in 10 is a series of discussions where I take one franchise (Denver Broncos)
and talk about the 10 steps I would take to improve the team. There will not
always be 10 steps, all trades are checked to make sure the money matches, and
signings are based on cap space/rumors.
Just
two years removed from the Super Bowl, the Broncos have missed the playoffs
both seasons following the 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl
50. They finished the 2017 season at the bottom of the AFC West with a 5-11
record (that’s tied with the Jets in the East, sorry Nick). Broncos Executive,
former Super Bowl MVP, and Hall of Fame Quarterback John Elway says that there
are “obviously some issues that need to be handled.” With limited cap space,
somewhere around $30M, what needs to be done to get this franchise back to
playoff form?
STEP 1
“Daddy Manning” is
gone. The most
obvious issue after Peyton Manning’s retirement is the Broncos lack of a
quarterback. With an offense ranked 27th in the league for points
per game and 20th in passing yards, something tells me that the trio
of Siemian, Osweiler, and Lynch just aren’t cutting it. Now the Broncos could
sign expected free agent Kirk Cousins, but my advice would be to save your
money. On top of the salary cap issue, Captain Kirk has only played in two wild
card games in which he lost them both and only accounted for two touchdowns (1
passing, 1 rushing). I’d also stay away from what some would say is the top QB
in this upcoming draft in Sam Darnold out of USC. He’s got the mechanics and
the stature sure, but by the end of this previous college football season he
led the FBS in turnovers. Definitely not
what the Broncos need, and if you managed to watch his tragic performance
versus Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, you’d stay away too. My advice, draft
fellow Pac 12 QB Josh Rosen. Nearly identical stats to Darnold, with
considerably less turnovers. Surround this young talent with some veteran
talent to guide him and he will flourish into the QB the Broncos need.
STEP 2
Von Miller –
“Coach, I’m delicate.” Hopefully
not too delicate Von, because we’re going to do a little contract
reconstruction. Now before I start, I have 2 things: 1) I have to admit this
idea is not mine, but I think it would help the Broncos cause (you’ll see why in
step 3). This was a fan post on SB Nation by Ozark_orange so full credit goes
to him. 2) This is strictly a reconstruction, not a reduction in pay. Ozark’s
plan is to convert $12M of Von’s $18.5M 2018 salary to a restructure bonus paid
out over the next 4 years. Still the same amount of money by the end of 2021,
just giving the Broncos a little breathing room short-term. I’m only going to
convert $8M of his 2018 salary paying him a restructure bonus of $2M per year
for the next four years. So Von’s $18.5M turns into $10.5M + $2M restructure
bonus (plus his guaranteed workout and signing bonus which is guaranteed) for
his 2018 salary. This would clear up $6M in cap space for 2018. This $6M will
be useful in keeping another valuable Bronco.
STEP 3
DT – 88 . Demaryius Thomas has been the
Broncos leading receiver in receiving yards with over 1,000 yards since 2012 except
for this past season (I’m going to chalk that up to the QB situation). He has
also led the Broncos in receiving touchdowns since 2013, coming in second in
2014 by only 1 TD to Julius Thomas. When it comes to production and results on
the offensive side of the ball, the Broncos have no one better. On top of that,
Thomas hasn’t missed any games due to injury for the past 5 seasons. Only issue
is that the final two years of his contract are option years that the Broncos
can choose to decline. If they decline the $4M option, then Thomas will become
a free agent. Here’s where the $6M cleared up from Von’s contract
reconstruction comes into play. Due to DT’s consistency as top receiver and
durability, I see no reason why they should decline that $4M option. Use some
of that $6M cleared up from Von and keep Demaryius for at least another two
seasons. Reconstruct your best defender’s contract in order to keep your best
offensive weapon, makes sense.
STEP 4
The Trenches. With three offensive lineman set
to become unrestricted free agents that’s going to leave some holes that need
patching. With a need for a guard and a tackle lookout for Quenton Nelson and
Mike McGlinchey, both out of Notre Dame, in the draft. Arguably the best
offensive lineman in the draft, snagging one of these two guys is a must if you
want to protect your rookie quarterback.
STEP 5
No Fly Zone (est.
2015). One member of this secondary has
already been released in T.J. Ward. It’s time to part ways with another founder
of this No Fly Zone that was ranked 4th in the NFL in the 2017
season. While the secondary was stellar, the team still finished 5 – 11 so
changes need to be made, and anything that frees cap space to upgrade at other
positions is beneficial. Aqib Talib has been a staple in the Broncos defense
for years. However, at age 32, his quality of play is inevitably going to
decline in the near future. May not be next year, but in the next few years,
age will unfortunately be a factor. With two other cornerbacks under contract
in Chris Harris and Bradley Roby (both three years younger than Talib), the
Broncos will be paying $28M for three cornerbacks. If Talib is traded, the
Broncos can effectively clear about $11M of cap space. No hard feelings,
strictly business.
STEP 6
The defensive QBs. Addressing the quarterback is top
priority. So talents like Roquon Smith and Tremaine Edmunds at the linebacker
position might be unreasonable seeing how they’ll probably get drafted in the
early rounds. Should one of them slip through the cracks, snag them. There are
a few other options at the linebacker positions to potentially pick up in a
later round. Athletes such as Kendall Joseph out of Clemson and Oren Burks out
of Vanderbilt. Both athletic and smart defenders who need a little experience
before flourishing, but that’s what your rookie season is for.
STEP 7
Create a young
dynamic duo. Almost
just as important as having veterans around to teach you the ropes, is having
someone your age to relate to and grow with. While having a consistent,
1,000-yard receiver like Demaryius Thomas as a target makes life a little easier,
so does having some rookie chemistry with another wide receiver. A couple names
to watch out for: Equanimeous St. Brown (ND, I’m not a Notre Dame fan I swear)
and Auden Tate (FSU). Both tall (6’5”), athletic, red zone threats who have the
physical capabilities to be dominant in the league.
STEP 8
Be Wild Cards. This isn’t going to be a quick
fix, see you in Super Bowl 53 sort of deal. Drafting and signing this amount of
rookies means that they’ll need at least a year or so to gain some experience. Assuming
of course they’re injury free. Bulk them up, live and learn, but break the
two-year playoff drought and make a wild card appearance. Playoff atmosphere is
a lot different than the regular season and getting that exposure as a rookie
will decrease the jitters for a deep playoff run in years to come.
STEP 9
Get straight to the
drawing board. At
the conclusion of the 2018 season, hopefully with at least one playoff win
under their belt (1 more playoff win that Kirk Cousins), get to the drawing
board and reflect on the do’s and don’ts for next season. Countless hours in
the film room, weight room, and training room to insure your veterans are
mentally and physically healthy. As well as your rookies who just endured their
first season in the rigorous league. Come back in 2019 ready to pack a bigger
punch, with your eyes on the prize, an AFC championship appearance. Give your
young talent a chance at a ship, and they just might take it.
Sources:
https://broncoswire.usatoday.com/2018/01/28/denver-broncos-offseason-preview-offensive-line/2/
https://broncoswire.usatoday.com/2017/12/30/denver-broncos-aqib-talib-2018-nfl-offseason/
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/broncos-will-reportedly-try-to-trade-aqib-talib-this-offseason-due-to-salary-concerns/
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